Matt Reeves In Deal To Direct ‘Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes’

EXCLUSIVE: Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves has been set to direct Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, the 20th Century Fox sequel to Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. Reeves was atop the list to replace Rupert Wyatt, and the other names I’d heard were in contention were The Disappearance Of Alice Creed helmer J Blakeson, 28 Weeks Later helmer Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Take Shelter director Jeff Nichols, Pacific Rim helmer Guillermo del Toro, The Impossible helmer Juan Antonio Bayona and Looper helmer Rian Johnson (though Johnson’s reps denied he is in the hunt).

Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver already turned in a script that is much liked by the studio and the film’s producer, Chernin Entertainment. It’s a natural extension of the first film, which grossed $483 million worldwide and seamlessly set up the apocalyptic sequel plotline. CAA and 3 Arts rep Reeves.